Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:

“The barbaric murder of David Haines is a crime of the most horrendous kind.

“My thoughts at this time are with the family of David Haines who have experienced something no family should ever have to go through.

“This murderous organisation calls itself Islamic State.

“But it is not a state, it is a brutal terrorist outfit whose actions are an affront to every peace loving Muslim around the world.

“No religion could possibly justify such grotesque acts.

“The British Government will not rest until these killers face justice.”​